MEGA Recorder – SONY TC 530 Stereo Reel to Reel Tape Recorder
Sponsored by: Abundance Genie DSPP Subliminal Messages Program. Release the power of your unconscious mind to get more out of life! It’s the Magic of Human Potential empowered by positively affirming subliminal messages. For more information on Abundance Genie DSPP Subliminal Messages Program, please visit our Web page at: www.clydesight.com ******** This video explores the SONY TC 530 vintage 7-inch stereophonic reel to reel tape recorder. It was originally sold in 1967. This tape recorder appears to have been well made, built to last (it still works after 42 years!) and is typical of SONY’s 1960′s excellent quality. It has very good stereo separation and for some reason, SONY labeled it on the head cover, ‘sterecorder’. The vintage reel to reel stereo tape recorder has some unique features, including a retractable pinch roller for easy tape threading, a four speaker system (two bass speakers mounted in the cabinet, two satellite speakers that make up the lid), independent left and right record controls, and a true Bass/Treble amplifier circuit. Although only a two head, single motor machine, it has three speeds, remarkably low wow and flutter (less than .10% @ 7 ½ ips amazing for a time when most machines only achieved a .25% rating) and room filling ‘warm’ sound that is so nostalgic in today’s audio world. The tape recorder came DOA from E-Bay (the seller was selling it for parts) and had some serious mechanical and electrical problems. The left channel amplifier was …
Comments
@scaleop4 Yes, it is very large and quite heavy! But the sound is amazing!
man that things big.
@bbishoppcm
Thanks!
Very cool!
@erniesbudolab Thanks. This one is not auto reverse, but SONY made similar units that were. They had a higher price tag, of course.
I had this exact model growing up as a kid. My father bought it when he was in the Navy while we were stationed in Iceland. As you can imagine, not a lot to do in Iceland, so playing with this tape recorder. Unfortunately, I no longer have the machine but have been wanting to replace it…with something not as heavy or space consuming. But I loved the sound quality. If memory serves me correctly, this machine also has auto-reverse. Great video. Very informative.
have a look at my site,maby you like what you see….regards..
@jigibao
Do you have a video of it? If not, how about making one explaining the machine and why you like it? I think the tape recorder fans on YouTube are increasing, which is interesting. Vinyl is coming back, it would be wonderful if R2R and cassette did too.
CDs killed off so much good stuff, and I think it was very short sighted of manufacturers to just abandon the old stuff in favor of the CDs. I like CDs of course, but they didn’t have to push the other stuff out of the market.
i have tk500a from 1964…
I’m not sure I understand your question.
If you’re asking about the speakers, the lid speakers plug into the two jacks in the top of the machine. You don’t actually need them, but they add to the impact of the sound if you use them.
If you are asking how to run a reel through the machine, put the full reel on the left reel table and an empty reel on the right one. Thread the tape (shiny side out) across the heads and onto the empty reel so it catches, then turn the knob to play.
I have this exact same one that I found at y grand parents house. There are two reels and they both have music on them how do i set them up
?
Thanks, Prokid!
It does have very good sound which I should have recorded better on this video.
What happened to your Dad’s recorder?
This is an exellent machine, my Father
had the same one when I was growing up.
Enjoy that recorder!
YouTube won’t let you put a full URL in a comment. So you have to trick it, like you did. I went to your site. Very nice! That 1580 is a fine machine!
Hi clydesight. MY Wollensak page can be reached at the following address. For some reason YouTube won’t let me use the dots in my address?? Well here is it. wollensak1580webscom.
Thanks shane8mm,
Where is your Wollensak Web site, I’d like to visit. Is it a YouTube channel?
Hello clydesight. Great video! and a wonderful machine. I own a TC560 which was produced in 68′. Your machines transport is far superior to my TC 560′s design. I also own the same demo tape you have here. In fact I have used portions of my demo tape at my Wollensak web site.
I just dug out my Sterecorded 530. It still works and all parts are there. It does work a little stiff. Have demo tape that came with it. Would like to sell.
Oh yes, I have a RIDICULOUS pile of amplifiers, equalizers and mismatched speakers connected to my machines. I plan to send in a video of it soon.
Thank you Richard,
I see you just joined YouTube. Welcome!
It is amazing that metal springs can go bad over time, but you are right, they do!
Sorry your machine is in such rough aesthetic condition, but still, for $20, not bad!
The internal speakers provide a lot of bass and are satisfying, but for really WOW sound, try adding a set of outboard speakers (if you can) to the external speaker jacks!
Truly a swell machine sir! I have an identical model (garage sale…$20. the lady didn’t even know what it did!) The tension springs were shot and I replaced them with a modern equivelent. exelent sound even at 1 7/8 ips! Mine is much worse for wear astheticly…the external speakers are long gone, the faceplate is missing, and the speed needs to be adjusted manualy. Still not bad for a 40 year old machine!
I had two Sony tube type machines, the TC-35 (used 5 inch reels) and another one, but I forget the model number.
They were very good machines. However, for sheer quality of tone, I found the Panasonic RQ-705 (I have a vid on it here at YT) was much better. It was a true HiFi machine, which the Sony’s, although excellent, were not.
Their were several models in that portable configuration that were tube they must have been pre Tc – 630 the tube ones were very very good I looked and couldnt find any information on them however ….
I remember these when they came out. The retractable pinch roller was a big deal at the time. I did not know this model was available as a tube machine, though there were plenty of tube machines around at the time. But solid state was the up and coming thing.
You got a deal what a great buy , I have wanted one of those for years and do to circumstance never been able to acquire one. those came in tube models or solid state I thinks yours is one of the first solid State models. those were really good and they were made to really be used and designed to be serviced you could really use that machine every day and with reasonable care it really wouldnt wear that much. I was a little boy in that error it was great time to grow up !
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